Sunapee begins spring road grading in Georges Mills area

Gravel roads in Georges Mills went under the grader first as Sunapee began its spring maintenance cycle, and drivers on Fernwood, West Shore, Ridgewood Road and nearby streets were told to expect slower travel, active work zones and temporary inconvenience while crews reshaped surfaces worn down by winter.

The notice said the work started during the week of May 18 and was expected to continue for about three weeks, weather permitting. Crews were set to move north to south through town, with Sioux Path, Penacook Path and Hamel Road among the last areas scheduled for completion. For residents who use these roads every day, the practical effect was immediate: trucks, equipment and fresh grading activity on the town’s gravel network, along with the need to watch for posted signs and barriers.

The Highway Department urged caution around the work area and said motorists should obey all posted directions to keep both workers and the public safe. That message fit a town where road maintenance is not just a seasonal chore but a core public service, covering highways, sidewalks, stormwater collection systems, bridges, dams and intersection signalization. Sunapee’s highway and Buildings and Grounds operations moved to a summer schedule on Thursday, April 23, with staff working Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the department closed on Fridays.

Residents with questions were directed to Jenn McClaine, Highway Business Manager, at (603) 763-5060 option 1, or Mike Martell, Highway Director, at option 2. Martell was promoted to highway director in April 2023 after more than four years with the town. The department’s stated mission emphasizes teamwork, high ethical standards, stewardship of town investments and data-driven decision making, a framework that matches the systematic route the grader was taking through Georges Mills and the rest of town.

Spring grading also sits inside a larger road-work pipeline. Sunapee posted its 2026 Roadway Paving Projects for bid in late April, with proposals due May 13, and the town’s broader infrastructure list includes the Georges Mills Main Street Bridge project at Springfield Road and Route 11 over Muzzy Brook. That bridge has been closed to vehicle traffic since September 2023, the Selectboard voted in June 2024 to pursue full replacement, and estimated construction costs run from $780,000 to $890,000.

The need for work this time of year also tracks with conditions across New Hampshire. The state transportation department says thaw season leaves roads vulnerable as frost leaves the underlying base, which is why seasonal load limits are posted annually to help protect pavements from breakup.